Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Eldon frequently fails to take responsibility for his actions early in the novel.

• Is Eldon the “victim of circumstance” that he claims to be? (topic sentence)
• Explain the ways in which Eldon is a victim of circumstance in the novel, then explain whether Eldon could have overcome his circumstances had he had direction in how to do so.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe why Eldon’s mentality may contribute to his difficulty in rising above his circumstances.

2. Stories are an important element of the novel, not only to the Indigenous people but also between Frank and Eldon.

• What function do stories play in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Explain why stories are important for change, for understanding, and for healing in the novel.